Reinforcement and workability aspects of graphene-oxide-reinforced cement nanocomposites

We explored the mechanical and the rheological properties of cement reinforced with graphene oxide (GO, STANDARD GRAPHENE INC.) in the presence of a superplasticizer. The GO enhanced the compressive and flexural strengths of the cement matrix by 40% and 70%, respectively, at extremely low GO concentrations (< 0.05 wt%). An optimal nanomaterial concentration (ONC) was observed, above which the properties deteriorate due to the formation of voids in the composite. In a comparison of different nanofiller-reinforced systems, the superiority of the cement + GO + superplasticizer system over other previously reported systems was shown by comparing the nanofiller reinforcement efficiency and a figure of merit that combines the nanocomposite's mechanical and theological properties.